JAPAN WINS 2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
BY ISMAEL NUNEZ
Well the regular MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL season is right around the corner. Have you been watching/enjoying the the WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC 2023? This reporter has been watching, enjoying, and seeing some as they say “UPS AND DOWNS”.
Watching Shohei Ohtani SHINE on both the MOUND and at the PLATE in this classic shows this ballplayer is for real! The only thing missing is a World Series Championship Ring! Like his teammate Mike Trout playing for the United States Baseball Team, lots of accomplishments, yet no ring.
Latin American Baseball Teams put on a good effort. Puerto Rico upset heavily favorite Dominican Republic, Venezuela put up a good fight, yet eventually ran into the United States, while team Mexico ran into Team Japan. In an exciting game Japan, who trailed throughout the game, came back scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth to become victorious! There next stop was the USA Team!
If one were to see this lineup composed of Paul Goldsmith, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts, one would get shivers. Not team JAPAN! With good defense and good pitching they defeated Team USA by the score 3-2. Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto homered as Japan built a 3-0 lead.
Trea Turner, All Star Shortstop for the Los Angles Dodgers, put the U.S. on the board going deep in the second and then Kyle Schwarber outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies went deep in the 8th inning. Yet what’s a home run without men on base?
Big strike out for Team USA with hitting with consistency with men on base. One saw this in the top of the ninth with a runner on base. 3 Time MVP, Team Captain Mike Trout, came up with the tying run on base. Then came Shohei Ohtani, his teammate from the Anaheim Angles and himself a MVP, emerging from the bullpen like a Samurai Warrior. Shohei struck out the captain as Japan became victorious in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Japan would go on and post a perfect record of 7-0 and outscored/outhit their opponents 56-18! This performance would lead them to win the Classic for the the Third Time! Winning it previously in 2006 and 2009. After seeing the performance of Japan their most likely the dynasty of the this Classic.
